world journal of pharmaceutical research · vol 5, issue 11, 2016. 405 bhola et al. world journal...

www.wjpr.net Vol 5, Issue 11, 2016.

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Bhola et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

ARE RASAPANCHAKA PHYSICAL EFFECTS OR

PHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECTS- A DETAIL REVIEW

1Dr. Sonal Bhola* and

2Dr. M. Paramkussha Rao

1PG Final year, S.V.Ayurvedic College, Tirupati.

2M.D(Ayu), Ph.D(Ayu), Professor & Head of the Department, Post Graduate Dept of

Dravyaguna, S. V. Ayurvedic College, Tirupati.

ABSTRACT

The study of natural drugs comes under the main branch of Ayurveda-

Dravyaguna: - which deals with the knowledge of dravya-. Each

dravya consists of five properties- Rasapanchaka. Rasa-Taste,Guna-

Predicament, Vipaka- Post –digestive taste, Virya- Potency,

Prabhava- Achintaya (which is unexplainable). Out of five, the four

properties- rasa, guna, vipaka and virya (rasachatushtaya) are the

perceptible property of a dravya. All these days rasapanchaka is

intended at explaining pharmacological activity. The properties which

are present in rasapanchaka are mostly physical in nature as they are made up of the physical

entities i.e. panchamahabhuta. The thing which is physical in nature is bound to be perceived

through our indriyas. So anything which is made up of panchabhutas is perceivable through

indriyas (senses). In this study an effort is attempted to explain that rasapanchakas are

physical effects and have pharmacological effects as well.

KEYWORDS: rasa, guna, vipaka, virya, prabhava, indriya grahya, panchamahabhuta etc.

INTRODUCTION

Dravyaguna is the main branch of Ayurveda deals with the knowledge of the dravya on the

basis of nama (nomenclature), Rupa (morphology) and guna (properties), it is more a

pharmacotherapeutics.

Dravya – Yatrashritah karmgunah karanam samvayi yat tadravyam.[1]

-where karma and

guna resides with inseparable relationship.

World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research SJIF Impact Factor 6.805

Volume 5, Issue 11, 404-415. Review Article ISSN 2277– 7105

*Corresponding Author

Dr. Sonal Bhola

PG Final year, S.V.

Ayurvedic College, Tirupati.

Article Received on

25 August 2016,

Revised on 14 Sept. 2016,

Accepted on 04 Oct. 2016

DOI: 10.20959/wjpr201611-7215


405


The rasapanchaka are the five components of dravya called as guna of a dravya. The

classical definitions of rasapanchaka are as follows:-

Rasa (taste) - Raso nipaate dravyanam.[2]

when a substance is brought into touch with the

Rasanendriya (or tongue), then the taste will be known.

Guna (predicament) - Samvayi tu nischesta karanam gunah.[3]

i.e, guna as the character or

property which will remain in a dravya with inherent relationship and is devoid of action.

Vipaka (post-digestive taste) -

Vishistha jarananishtha kale rasa visheshasaya pakah

pradurbhavah vipakah.[4]

The end product of a dravya which is the outcome of digestion is

known as Vipaka. Vipaka is the bio-transformative phase of rasa.

Virya (potency) - Vishishtha samrathya sampanna guna, i.e, Potent and efficient most factor

which is called as virya that is bio- energy.[5]

Prabhava –Rasavirya vipakanam samnayam yatra lakshyate. Visheshah karmanam chaiv

prabhavastasaya sa smritah.[6]

It is called as Achintaya i.e., which is unexplainable on the logic of Bhutas.

The RASAPANCHAKA is a unique theory where properties of the drug are used to explain

their pharmacological effect in the body. The pharmacological actions exhibited by

rasapanchaka i.e gunaparabhava, is almost identical to the properties existing in the human

body system.

Na tu kewalam gunaprabhavadev dravyani karmukani bhavanti;

Dravyani hi dravyaprabhavad gunaprabhavad dravyagunaprabhavaccha.[7]

In above quotation the first kind of effect namely “guna parabhava,” is explained by Rasa,

guna, vipaka and virya (rasachatushtaya) which are perceptible properties (guna ) of a

dravya.

80-90% of total drugs‟ action can be explained logically with the help of their properties.

Such physical linkage is seldom seen in other pharmacological sciences.


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The rasapanchaka are the physical properties of a dravya. Physical properties can be

identified by any level of intelligence (i.e. Indriya grahya).The knowledge of physical

properties is original information.

Physical properties indicate the totality of the drug in pharmacological action. These physical

properties have been identified in the human body.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1. To understand that Rasapanchaka are physical effects.

2. To evaluate that rasapanchaka present in a dravya have pharmacological effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Classical texts and commentaries were studied to understand rasapanchaka as physical

effects (perceivable through senses or indriya grahya) as well as pharmacological effects

present in a dravya.

CONCEPT OF RASAPANCHAKA AS PHYSICAL EFFECTS

A dravya is divided into karana and karya dravya:

Karna dravyas are nine- “Khadinyatma manokalo dishashch dravya sangraha”.[8]

Karya dravyas are all the manifestations of these nine karna dravyas.

As “Sarva dravyam panchbhautikasminnarthe” (9)

i.e all karya dravya are the manifested

forms of pancha mahabhutas. How these panchamahabhutas can be perceived???

Five pentads of senses i.e panch indriya (five senses), panch indriya dravya (five sense

material), panch indriya adhisthana (five sense organs), panch indriya artha (five sense

objects), panch indriya buddhi (five sense perception) shows a relation of these mahabhutas

with their respective indriya. And these indriyas are particular for its mahabhutas due to

tulyayonitva.

The rasapanchaka are the five components of dravya called as guna of a dravya and these

are: Rasa, Guna, Virya,Vipaka, Prabhava

1. RASA-

Rasa are six in number.


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Table no.1. Rasa and its bhoutika composition

Sr.no. Rasa Bhoutika composition

1. Madhura Prithvi+jala

2. Amla Prithvi+Agni

3. Lavana Jala+agni

4. Katu Vayu+agni

5. Tikta Vayu+aakasha

6. Kashaya Vayu+prithvi

“Rasanartho rasastasya”.[10]

i.e rasa is perceieved via rasanendriya. It is totally a physical

effect. Six rasas are identified due to six types of combinations of panchabhutas by which

they become perceptible through tongue in six ways.

Each rasa is attributed with three gunas. These gunas are termed as “Anugunas”- coined by

Dr. M Pramkusha Rao. The relation of rasa and gunas is as follows.[11]

Table no. 2. Rasa and Guna relation

Sr.No. Rasa Guna

1 Madhura Snigdha, Sheeta, Guru

2 Amla Laghu, Ushna, Snigdha

3 Lavana Na ati guru, Snigdha Ushna

4 Katu Laghu, Ushna, Ruksha

5 Tikta Ruksha, Sheeta, Laghu

6 Kashaya Ruksha, Sheeta, Guru

These anugunas present in each rasas also have physical effects, can be assessed by the

tongue because among panchindriyas – sparshendriya is the only indriya which pervades all

over the body (and is in inherent relation with manas.[12]

, so it pervades over tongue also.

This means tongue performs two sensory functions: - one is sensing taste of the substances

and another is sensing the properties of the taste substances.

e.g. if a person is having hot tea, the tongue is perceiving two things simultaneously, one taste

of the tea and another hotness of the tea. Similarly if a person is having a sweet (for instance

rasagulla) he perceives sweetness and aniontness (i.e. snighdata), coolness (i.e. sheetata) as

well in the mouth.

Thus, tongue: - the rasendriya performs two functions- one is identifying the taste of the

dravya and another guna present in the dravya.


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2. GUNA-

There are totally 41 gunas accepted by the Ayurveda Acharayas commonly. They are:

Adhyatma gunas - 6

Gurvadi gunas - 20

Paradi gunas - 10

Visishta gunas - 5

Total = 41 gunas

Out of 41 gunas, 20 gurvadi gunas are significant, out of which eight gunas are more

significant and they are termed as utkrishta gunas

Acharaya Susruta.[13]

has given the physical identification (indriya grahya) of these

following gunas:-

Table no. 3. Identification of Gunas

Sr.no. Guna Bhautika Composition Indriya grahyatwa

1. Guru Jala+ Prithvi -

2. Laghu Vayu+ Akasha+ Agni -

3. Sheeta Jala Sparsha

4. Ushna Agni Sparsha

5. Snigdha Prithvi+ jala Chakshu

6. Ruksha Vayu Chakshu

7. Mridu Jala+Akasha Sparsha

8. Tikshna Agni Rasna

3. VIRYA-

Virya are the most potent gunas present in a dravya. The ashta utkrishta gunas are termed as

virya. Virya can be perceived from rasnendriya to upto its presence in body.

Viryam yavadadhivaasanipaatacchoplabhyate.[14]

Hence virya can be perceived via. Two ways

Nipate- rasnendriya

Adhivaase-through actions

i.e. Nipaate and Adhivaase both.

e.g. katu dravyas are sensible through skin (causes burning sensation i.e. ushnata) and its

action (burning sensation) can be inferred by the systemic response also.


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4. VIPAKA-

“vishistha jarananishtha kale rasa visheshasaya pakah pradurbhavah vipakah”.[4]

Paka is of two types‟ i.e peelu paka and peethar paka

Peelu paka (chemical changes)

Peethar paka (physical changes)

If paka is at physical level then it may be perceived through indriya for example a fruit is

changed from its apakwa stage to pakawa stage and its changing colour, taste, smell

according to kala can be noticed through indriya ( chakshuindriya for color, rasendriya for

taste, ghranindriya for smell)

If paka is at chemical level it cannot be perceived through indriya but is to be known by its

actions on body (the pharmacological effect). Viapakah karmnishtheya(15)

For example if srishta vina mutra and kaphotklesha are seen then that dravya will be consider

as having madhura vipaka.

THE PHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF RASAPANCHAKA

The pharmacological actions exhibit by rasapanchaka depends upon the panchabhoutika

composition of it. The main treatment principle of Ayurveda is to increase the decreased

bhavas in body and decrease the increased bhavas in the body; accordingly the contents of

rasapanchaka are chosen to treat the body.

RASA

MADHURA RASA: some of its pharmacological effects are listed below.[16]

-

Effect on doshas: vata-pitta shamaka and kapha prakopaka

Actions: indriyaprasadana, ojo vardhaka, dhatu vardhana, trishna prashamana, daha

prashamana, keshaya, kanthya, brihmanaya etc.

Indications: vata rogas, murcha, asthi bhagna, rakta –pitta etc.

AMLA RASA: some of its pharmacological effects are listed below.[17]

Effect on doshas: pitta-kapha vardhaka, vatanulomana.

Actions: dipana, brihmana, hridya, prinana etc.

Indications: agnimandya, vata rogas etc.

LAVANA RASA: some of its pharmacological effects are listed below.[18]


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Effect on doshas: vata-shamaka, pitta-kapha vardhaka.

Actions: deepana-pachana, sroto-shodhaka, dhatu –shaithilyakara, ruchya etc.

Indications: vata rogas, agni mandya, sula etc.

KATU RASA: some of its pharmacological effects are listed below.[19]

Effect on doshas: kapha-shamaka, vata-pitta vardhaka.

Actions: mukha-shodhaka, agnideepana, indriya dourbalya, kanduhara, vrana ropna, krimi

hara, sroto vivarana etc.

Indications: kandu, vrana, agnimandya etc.

TIKTA RASA: some of its pharmacological effects are listed below.[20]

Effect on doshas: pitta-kapha shamaka, vata-vardhaka

Actions: visha hara, krimihara, kanduhara, lekhana, stanya shodhana etc

Indications: amla-pitta, ama vata, krimi roga, medo roga etc.

KASAYA RASA: some of its pharmacological effects are listed below.[21]

Effect on doshas: pitta- kapha hara, vata- vardhaka etc.

Actions: sangrahi, sandhana kara, ropana, soshana, sthambhana, rakta prasamana, lekhana,

twachaya, vishtambhi etc.

Indications: atisara, twaka vikara, medoroga etc.

GUNA

There 20 guruvadi gunas which are also called as „sharirika gunas‟ because of the similarity

of the building constituents of gunas with the body building constituents.

These gunas are arranged in 10 pairs opposite to each other. Out of 20, 8 gunas are the most

prominent gunas (utkrishta gunas) as they are therapeutically more potent. Opposite gunas

are selected in order to enhance the dhatu samyata in the body.

The pharmacological actions of these gunas are listed below.[22]

:

Guru – brihmana

Laghu- langhana

Sheeta- sthambhna

Ushna- swedana

Snigdha- snehana

Ruksha- shoshana

Mridu- shaman


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Tikshana- shodhana

VIRYA: the most potent and efficient factor in a drug, which is time bound, depends upon

the good storage conditions of the drug. The ashta utkrishta gunas are termed as virya which

are categorised into two:

Table no.4. Action of virya on doshas

VIRYA PANCHABHOUTIKA COMPOSITION ACTION

Sheeta Prithvi +Jala Pitta shamaka

Ushna Agni+ Vayu+Akasha Kapha shamaka

VIPAKA: Vipaka is the post –digestive phase of Rasa through the action of Jatharagni

(digestive juices).

Bhadanta Nagarjuna mentioned this transformation as the characteristic feature of Vipaka:

“Parinamalakshano vipakah”.[23]

i.e., Vipaka possesses change as its characteristics which are brought by digestion and

assimilation.

“Gunah praadhanah” [24]

“Vipakakarantvaat”[25]

According to Bhadanta Nagarjuna the guna importance is established with a logic says that

“Gunas are important”, as Guna causes Vipaka. So as vipaka depends on guna (laghu or

guru).

Vipaka is of three types.[26]

Table no. 5. Action of vipaka on dosha, dhatu and mala

Vipaka Action on dosha Action on dhatu Action on mala

Madhura (guru) Kapha kara Shukrala Srishtavinmutra

Amla (laghu) Pitta kara Shukranashana Srishtavinmutra

Katu (laghu) Vatala Shukraha Badhavinmutra

PRABHAVA

It is a specific action of a drug can‟t be explained on the basis of rasa, guna , vipaka and

virya or bhoutika composition of drug.

Acharaya Susruta has said that “amimansayanyachintyaani prasiddhani swabhavatah.

Aagamenopyojyani bheshajani vichakshaneh”… sahasrenapi hetunam

nambhashatadirvirechayte”.[27]


412


i.e. some drugs don‟t seek any explanation about how does they act, they act by virtue of their

swabhava which results in prabhava :- a specific action. So one should follow the

instructions of great seers how to use such drugs and should not get into reasoning and

explanations because thousands logics have not proved that why ambshathadi drugs exerts

virechaniya property.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The above postulates depicts that a dravya is made up of panchamahabhuta by which a

dravya is perceivable through indriyas. The gunas of dravya are rasapanchaka which are

again composed of panchamahabhuta. Among rasapanchaka some (not all) of the properties

are perceivable through indriyas which means they are physical effects. Guna and karma

both reside with inherent relation in a dravya. So a dravya is responsible for karma i.e.

responsible for actions, by virtue of its gunas which are nothing but rasapanchaka (rasa,

guna, vipaka, virya and prabhava) which depicts that rasapanchaka exhibit pharmacological

application also.

Hence rasapanchaka are both physical effects and pharmacological effects as well.

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1. Agniveshacharya, Charaka Samhita, Elaborated by Charaka and Drudhabala with

Ayurveda Dipika Commentary by Chakrapanidatta, Edited by Yadavaji Trikamaji

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4. Sastry.J.L.N, Dravyaguna Vijnana, Vol-1, Chaukhamba Orientalia, Edition- 2012; 130.

5. Sastry.J.L.N, Dravyaguna Vijnana, Vol-1, Chaukhamba Orientalia, Edition- 2012; 49.




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23. Bhadanta Nagarjuna, Rasavaiseshika, Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakal, Second Edition 2013;

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sloka no 119, p.no.84


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27. Dalhanacharaya Susruta Samhita, Elaborated Susruta and Dalhana with Nibhandha

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21, p.no.180-181.

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